Third

“I acted in three official school plays during high school. I had a really small role in the first one, a play about the assassination of Harvey Milk. I walked on stage, said my entirety of three lines, and walked off. It was such a small role that my brother made fun of me for attending so many rehearsals, but I’d fallen in love with the thrill of performing – with those nervous butterflies you get before going onstage. In my second play, I had a big role as a butler in a comedy. I fought a mustachioed woman, threw temper tantrums, and even dropped my trousers to reveal boxer shorts with tiny hearts on them. I remember how the crowd’s raucous laughter made me feel. In my last play, I had a small role again: a knight in a musical. I was bad at singing and even worse at dancing, and I’m sure I made a proper fool of myself that night – but it really didn’t matter to me, because I felt great doing it.” – Faizan Kothari

Bio: I was born and raised in Miami, FL, and am currently a sophomore at Emory University, studying chemistry and business. I put my family and friends first, and I enjoy reading, traveling, and basketball. I hope to one day open health clinics in rural areas around the world.